Mirando Receives National Leadership Award

The Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR) honored Dr. Mark Mirando, NIFA national science liaison for animal production systems, with the SSR Jansen Distinguished Leadership and Service Award. Presented at the Society’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Ottawa, Canada, the award recognizes Mirando for his service and leadership in advancing the discipline of reproductive biology.

Dr. Mirando provides leadership for NIFA’s competitive grant and capacity programs in animal reproduction. He has led or co-led 13 different competitive grant programs and was instrumental in creating six of those programs. He also serves as NIFA’s science coordinator for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, providing overarching coordination of scientific and peer-review integrity for the USDA’S largest competitive grant program. 

Founded in 1967, SSR promotes the study of reproduction in livestock, humans, biomedical animal models and exotic animal species by fostering interdisciplinary communication among scientists, holding conferences, and publishing meritorious studies. SSR members come from more than 50 countries.

Dr. Mark Mirando,, NIFA national science liaison for animal production systems. NIFA image.

2023 ED Games Expo Set for September 19-22

The Institute of Education Sciences’ (IES) 9th annual ED Games Expo is set for multiple venues across Washington, D.C. September 19-22. USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will be on hand to encourage educational innovation and highlight NIFA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.

The ED Games Expo is a free public showcase of game-changing education technology (EdTech) innovations developed through programs at IES, the U.S. Department of Education and across government.

Check out the Expo agenda and registration information. Can’t make it to DC in-person? Sign up for the Science Is Cool Virtual Unconference, which will be recorded and livestreamed Thursday, September 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.

Using PubAg to Share USDA-funded Work

Join NIFA and the National Agricultural Library on Tuesday, October 17, at 1 p.m. CDT for an informational webinar on Departmental Regulation (DR) 1020-006, involving public access to scholarly publication and digital scientific research data assets. This webinar will provide details on how to meet the requirement to submit final, peer-reviewed, accepted manuscripts to PubAg, the USDA public access archive system. Learn more and register.

In Case You Missed It

NIFA Listens Report Now Available

The NIFA Listens FY 2023 – FY 2024 Report is now available for download on the NIFA website. The latest report captures findings from this year's session. Read more at the NIFA Listens webpage.

Feedback Requested on Potential Changes to Life Sciences Research Policies

The Office of Science and Technology Policy is seeking public comment on potential changes to the Policies for Federal and Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences Dual Use Research of Concern and Recommended Policy Guidance for Departmental Development of Review Mechanisms for Potential Pandemic Pathogen Care and Oversight.

Responses are due by October 16. Read the Federal Register Notice for more information.

Notice of Intent to Extend and Revise a Currently Approved Information Collection

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act and Office of Management and Budget regulations, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's intention to extend and revise currently approved information collection titled, “Reporting Requirements for State Plans of Work for Agricultural Research and Extension Formula Funds.”

NIFA is proposing to change the collection title to “NIFA Reporting System,” include a new financial reporting module, modify existing reports to request digital persistent identifiers, and allow respondents to provide information on Co-Project Director(s) when applicable. Written comments on this notice must be received by October 30. For more information or to make a comment, go online to this Federal Register Notice.

Read More: Impacts of NIFA-funded research and Extension programs on our Blog page.

• September 18, 1 p.m. EDT: Promoting Farm Safety and Farm Safety Education Across Generations
• September 26, 3 p.m. EDT: Veterinary Shortage Situation Nominations Webinar for State Animal Health Officials
• September 28, 3 p.m. EDT: AFRI Predoctoral Fellowships RFA Technical Assistance Q&A Session
• October 3, 11:30 a.m. EDT: Food & Nutrition Security Webinar: Local/Regional Food Systems
• October 5, 3 p.m. EDT: AFRI Food & Ag Non-formal Education Technical Assistance Webinar
• October 17, 2 p.m. EDT: Using PubAg to Share USDA-funded Work
• November 2, 2:30 p.m. EDT: Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agriculture Systems 
• NEW November 8, 3 p.m. EST: NIFA Nutrition Security Webinar: Promoting Indigenous Food Sovereignty
• November 16, 2:30 p.m. EST: 2024 National 4-H Conference Information Session
• December 6, 3 p.m. EST: Transdisciplinary Approaches: The Science of Team Science

NIFA webinar graphic.

Oregon State Research Shows Efforts to Restore Federal Forests in Eastern Oregon Are Working

Forest thinning is improving the robustness of older trees and enhancing native biodiversity on federal lands in eastern Oregon, evidence that collaborative efforts to restore forests are working, research by Oregon State University shows.

The NIFA-supported study led by James Johnston, OSU College of Forestry faculty, involved long-term monitoring and research partnerships between OSU, the U.S. Forest Service and local groups in Oregon’s Blue Mountains.

“Ecological restoration of seasonally dry, fire-prone forests has been a key goal of Forest Service managers for more than two decades,” Johnston said. “Our study shows that thinning aids in bringing back tree and understory vegetation conditions associated with the ability to bounce back in the face of disturbance. And thinning doesn’t just help managers mitigate fire risk – it restores a range of ecological functions that over time make forests more resilient.”

Read more about the OSU research here.

Oregon State University (OSU) field crew collects data  in the Malheur National Forest in Oregon. Photo courtesy of James Johnston, OSU.

USDA Announces Major Partnerships in Africa

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt announced new partnerships to enhance plant and animal health at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Tanzania this week.

While there, Under Secretary Moffitt announced that USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, working in close partnership with the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH), is helping to bolster animal health infrastructure, including partnerships in Africa building off longstanding work with the African Union.

The WOAH projects include creating tools for the early detection of emerging zoonotic infections in wildlife, harmonizing animal health processes, standardizing methods for managing sensitive trade issues, and minimizing food supply chain disruptions. Read more about the new partnerships.

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Many American diets don’t include enough basic nutrients, which can lead to health issues as we age. With support from NIFA, university researchers are seeking ways to make the foods we eat each day more nutrient-dense, for lifelong health and wellness. https://nifa.usda.gov/about-nifa/impacts/scientists-across-country-working-create-more-nutrient-dense-diets-0